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What is so great about Badger Ordnance bases?

Crapshot

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Jan 29, 2010
133
2
Texas
I just received one in the mail and began to compare it to my "cheap" brand and found hardly no difference in the two. The difference I did find was weight, because my cheap one is aluminum and the BO is steel.

There might be some reason for paying over twice what I paid for my "cheap" one, but to be honest I can't find one.
 
Re: What is so great about Badger Ordnance bases?

Quality of the metal, tolerances it was made by, and of course, the name
grin.gif


*EDIT* Oh ya, and CUSTOMER SERVICE! Not that you should ever need it.
 
Re: What is so great about Badger Ordnance bases?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: KenTex</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I just received one in the mail and began to compare it to my "cheap" brand and found hardly no difference in the two. The difference I did find was weight, because my cheap one is aluminum and the BO is steel.

There might be some reason for paying over twice what I paid for my "cheap" one, but to be honest I can't find one. </div></div>

Can you see tolerances? That's why you couldn't find the differences.
 
Re: What is so great about Badger Ordnance bases?

So you pay two to three times more and they'll kick you some $.15 screws free, yeah that's worth it. If I ever bought a base and it actually failed no amount of customer service could ever get me to mount one from them again, it is nearly if not the simplest part on a rifle. One continous piece or two pieces of metal, profiled to match reciever, and ring clamps with some lug slots and screw holes, possibly a built in angle. No moving parts, and the tolerances don't actually need to be that tight. As far as being able to see tolerances, nope not normally on small machinced parts, but they can be measured, but I wouldn't buy and measure a few hundred of any part spread across a few dates to check out a company's QC. Not that it matters anyway as receivers and rings are also made to tolerances and they won't likely match perfect.
 
Re: What is so great about Badger Ordnance bases?

Then by the cheap crap, make sure its bedded, and roll.
 
Re: What is so great about Badger Ordnance bases?

The Badger will meet the 1913 spec in all dimensions. A lot of rails only get it right in a few spots. It's like buying a Brand X tactical rail and finding out its really a gussied up Weaver rail.
 
Re: What is so great about Badger Ordnance bases?

I have more rifles than I have high-end scopes. I use BO rails and am able to switch scopes from one to the next and am usually pretty close to centered up from rifle to rifle. Of course, zeros are different, but the base to bore relationship is consistent. My experience with BO has made them worth it for me. Buy whatever you want.
 
Re: What is so great about Badger Ordnance bases?

Never having used BO rails, I've always understood that w/ most gun components you get what you paid for. Can't say that I've heard anything bad about them & given the length of time they've been produced that alone should say something about them. YMMV
 
Re: What is so great about Badger Ordnance bases?

Maybe my action is outa spec (700 s/a), maybe it's bent, but with it torqued down to the BO's directed 15 in/lbs it is visibly dipping down in the center. Looking down the barrel that is. Not mounted laying on a flat surface it was far from straight, same as my other cheaper one which made me think it was just a pos, guess their all like that don't know.

One good thing is the finish, matches the parked finish on the gun pretty well.
Haven't decided if ill keep it and try bedding it to straighten it out or go a different route. Kinda bought it thinking it would be arrow straight to take the worry out of bending my new scope. Frustrating
 
Re: What is so great about Badger Ordnance bases?

Your remmy reciever is more likely out of spec than the Badger base.. I had a 700 reciever i had to bed once.
 
Re: What is so great about Badger Ordnance bases?

You'll find that alot, not all, of the "cheaper" parts you buy will work just as well as the more expensive versions for YOU. Everyone's use will differ. The poor line of "you get what you pay for" has been beat to death many times over. It's also given some companys an excuse to charge even more for their products.....and ofcourse we comtinue to buy them regardless of how absurd the price is. That's a whole different can of worms there and not worth getting into.

This topic was hashed out pretty intensely over the price of different company's DBM bottom metal. It became a sensitive subject quickly. If your going to poke the bear, use a long stick.
 
Re: What is so great about Badger Ordnance bases?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: KenTex</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Maybe my action is outa spec (700 s/a), maybe it's bent, but with it torqued down to the BO's directed 15 in/lbs it is visibly dipping down in the center. Looking down the barrel that is. Not mounted laying on a flat surface it was far from straight, same as my other cheaper one which made me think it was just a pos, guess their all like that don't know.

One good thing is the finish, matches the parked finish on the gun pretty well.
Haven't decided if ill keep it and try bedding it to straighten it out or go a different route. Kinda bought it thinking it would be arrow straight to take the worry out of bending my new scope. Frustrating </div></div>

You should post a pic of the rail mounted on the receiver in question.
 
Re: What is so great about Badger Ordnance bases?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Triad</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The Badger will meet the 1913 spec in all dimensions. A lot of rails only get it right in a few spots. It's like buying a Brand X tactical rail and finding out its really a gussied up Weaver rail. </div></div>

+1 -- cutting a pic rail exactly the same dimensions 1000 times in a row is very difficult. You pay for the Badger because you know they did it right 50,000 time before yours.
 
Re: What is so great about Badger Ordnance bases?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ballistic1</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: KenTex</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Maybe my action is outa spec (700 s/a), maybe it's bent, but with it torqued down to the BO's directed 15 in/lbs it is visibly dipping down in the center. Looking down the barrel that is. <span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-family: 'Arial Black'">Not mounted laying on a flat surface it was far from straight</span></span>, same as my other cheaper one which made me think it was just a pos, guess their all like that don't know.

One good thing is the finish, matches the parked finish on the gun pretty well.
Haven't decided if ill keep it and try bedding it to straighten it out or go a different route. Kinda bought it thinking it would be arrow straight to take the worry out of bending my new scope. Frustrating </div></div>

You should post a pic of the rail mounted on the receiver in question. </div></div>Or a pic of it laying on a known flat/level surface
 
Re: What is so great about Badger Ordnance bases?

I will try and take some pics tomorrow. I don't see it being simple but ill give her a try. Thanks for the opinions.

Cory
 
Re: What is so great about Badger Ordnance bases?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bcw1284</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
760f2g.jpg
</div></div>

And yes, seriously. Cool pic tho
 
Re: What is so great about Badger Ordnance bases?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: KenTex</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I will try and take some pics tomorrow. I don't see it being simple but ill give her a try. Thanks for the opinions.

Cory </div></div>If it's far from straight like you said it should show. Maybe something happened to it. Pics always help with stuff like this.
 
Re: What is so great about Badger Ordnance bases?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: M.45</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Triad</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The Badger will meet the 1913 spec in all dimensions. A lot of rails only get it right in a few spots. It's like buying a Brand X tactical rail and finding out its really a gussied up Weaver rail. </div></div>

+1 -- cutting a pic rail exactly the same dimensions 1000 times in a row is very difficult. You pay for the Badger because you know they did it right 50,000 time before yours.

</div></div>

That's sound logic. But BO's prices are absurd. For example, consider their Bottom Metal for $350. I can get one made to the same specs by APA for about $200. And I like the APA design much better.
 
Re: What is so great about Badger Ordnance bases?

Really no difference? I disagree after using rifles for a living for three decades.

A Yugo and a Formula car do similar things but a professional driver will know the differences right away. Parked in driveway they take up about the same space though.

Enough said
 
Re: What is so great about Badger Ordnance bases?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Jayman_10X</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: M.45</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Triad</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The Badger will meet the 1913 spec in all dimensions. A lot of rails only get it right in a few spots. It's like buying a Brand X tactical rail and finding out its really a gussied up Weaver rail. </div></div>

+1 -- cutting a pic rail exactly the same dimensions 1000 times in a row is very difficult. You pay for the Badger because you know they did it right 50,000 time before yours.

</div></div>

That's sound logic. But BO's prices are absurd. For example, consider their Bottom Metal for $350. I can get one made to the same specs by APA for about $200. And I like the APA design much better. </div></div>

Then dont buy it. Its as plain and simple as that. Mercedes arent for everyone.

Bill
 
Re: What is so great about Badger Ordnance bases?

I think it's great that there are companies out there making similar products at different price points. It gives the customer options! You have options. Utilize them.
 
Re: What is so great about Badger Ordnance bases?

to all the frozen CHICKENHEADS out there that have NO institutional memory,,,,or have never attended a rifle match where Marty tossed up some of the finest weapons accessories on the planet showing up on numerous prize tables......we here like to support our sponsors.

when that cheap shit folds up and fails,you'll understand
 
Re: What is so great about Badger Ordnance bases?

Some of the points being made here are absurd.

Formula 1 car is to Yugo as Badger is to XYZ brand??

Mercedes is to Ford as Badger is to XYZ??

I've bought Badger, TPS, EGW, Farrell, DIP, NEAR, whatever the Titanium rail on the FN A3G is, and maybe others. In ALL cases, they fit the action fine, but to be perfect, required bedding. In ALL cases, my rings (Farrell, BO, TPS, Leupold, and others) fit great. In ALL cases, they held zero great.

It's a looks and materials thing. Personally, I like steel bases though Aluminum is just fine. Personally, I don't like the "looks" of the BO rail, the way tgey machine out the center of the rail, not that it hurts a thing.

Oh yeah, it's also a "name brand" thing.
 
Re: What is so great about Badger Ordnance bases?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: turbo54</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> Some of the points being made here are absurd.

Formula 1 car is to Yugo as Badger is to XYZ brand??

Mercedes is to Ford as Badger is to XYZ??

I've bought Badger, TPS, EGW, Farrell, DIP, NEAR, whatever the Titanium rail on the FN A3G is, and maybe others. In ALL cases, they fit the action fine, but to be perfect, required bedding. In ALL cases, my rings (Farrell, BO, TPS, Leupold, and others) fit great. In ALL cases, they held zero great.

It's a looks and materials thing. Personally, I like steel bases though Aluminum is just fine. Personally, I don't like the "looks" of the BO rail, the way tgey machine out the center of the rail, not that it hurts a thing.

Oh yeah, it's also a "name brand" thing. </div></div>


You know I heard the same shit about knives. Thats why I have a bunch of broken knives made out of the same materials as the ones I count on that never seem to break.

To say Rings and bases are all the same if made of same material is like saying every engineer is the same and that my firneds is why some shit breaks and some shit falls down.

Its the care in making and planning.

By the way ammo is as imporatnt as shooting ability if you wnat to hit what you aim at. Shit in equals Shit Out


I personally shoot only quality products like Badger and MK4 because I dont wnat a bunch of broken rings and bases to match the knives.
 
Re: What is so great about Badger Ordnance bases?

This topic isn't about rings - beyond the secondary issue of whether rings will physically fit bases.

I do not make the claim that all rings are created equal.

I'm not even saying all bases are, but jeez, a base isn't rocket science!

What are the design requirements?

1. Physically fits the rifle
2. Adequately parallel (as viewed from above) to the receiver/barrel/bore
3. Doesn't break
4. Allows rings and other devices (ACI, ACD) to fit.
5. Hard enough to not "brinell" or mar from the contact stress of tightening rings to it.

Niceties:

1. Comes with proper length mounting screws
2. Looks nice
3. Finished to resist corrosion and scratches
4. Neatly profiled to nicely fit the contours of the action

I'm yet to see any base, of the ones mentioned in my above post that didn't fulfill ALL of these points, with the exception of mounting screws. Every base EXCEPT the NEAR came with screws either a bit too ling or short. The NEAR for my SPR was/is perfect in all ways.

People are mentioning BREAKAGE... Has anyone experienced a broken scope base? I'm not particularly easy on my equipment and have never broken one - even a cheapie. I suspect pot-metal would almost be adequate.
 
Re: What is so great about Badger Ordnance bases?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BOLTRIPPER</div><div class="ubbcode-body">to all the frozen CHICKENHEADS out there that have NO institutional memory,,,,or have never attended a rifle match where Marty tossed up some of the finest weapons accessories on the planet showing up on numerous prize tables......we here like to support our sponsors.

when that cheap shit folds up and fails,you'll understand </div></div>.

A fucking men. Guys lets support these home grown companies that support our events and keep making quality product
 
Re: What is so great about Badger Ordnance bases?

Here here...recent event had Badger Bottom Metal, Bolt knob, and rings on the prize table.

Badger makes great stuff and it's not overly inflated as it could be.
 
Re: What is so great about Badger Ordnance bases?

Sir, all bases are not created equal. There are loads of differences in the specs of the different manufacturers bases. I have a room full of bases and rings made by several of the major players in the game. I can tell you if you want a set-up that will not move, you will need to be very careful when picking components. Some of the rings and bases from various sources are not compatible. If you put together a set-up that has problems you will spend a young fortune sorting out the problem. You will blame loads, scopes, bedding, barrels and yourself.

Badger rings and bases are very good. Others are also good, I don't like to mix rings and bases. Pick a reputable brand and buy both bases and rings from them.
 
Re: What is so great about Badger Ordnance bases?

Long ago I did a bunch of different reviews for different companies products. I was sent many different bases and sme of the cheaper steel bases/rings would keep coming loose. Drove me nuts until I mic'd them and found the cheaper bases actually getting smaller every time I torqued the rings to them.

Never had that with MK4, Badger or NXS
 
Re: What is so great about Badger Ordnance bases?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Sharfshutze</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Your remmy reciever is more likely out of spec than the Badger base.. I had a 700 reciever i had to bed once.</div></div> That is funny but true
 
Re: What is so great about Badger Ordnance bases?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: redirt78</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: KenTex</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I will try and take some pics tomorrow. I don't see it being simple but ill give her a try. Thanks for the opinions.

Cory </div></div>If it's far from straight like you said it should show. Maybe something happened to it. Pics always help with stuff like this. </div></div>


To be clear when I said it was far from straight I didn't mean it was bent into a loop or something, I meant it is/was far from straight considering its sole purpose (in my mind) is to be "rail" straight or flat to mount a scope. I apologize for my lack of clarity on the matter. I was able to take a couple of pictures of what I am referring too but can't figure out how to post pictures using my phone and wont be back to my computer for a day or two but would be happy to email the pictures to someone if they would be kind enough to post them up for me(used my android phones camera). I honestly wouldn't be surprised if they all had a similar curve or bow to them, but perhaps the one out of "50,000" with a defect ended up in my mailbox, who knows.
Thanks again for the opinions, much appreciated.

Cory
 
Re: What is so great about Badger Ordnance bases?

The original question was, "What is so great about Badger Ordnance bases?"

Answer: Quality, Customer Service & Marty
 
Re: What is so great about Badger Ordnance bases?

You get a reach around while shooting....duh
 
Re: What is so great about Badger Ordnance bases?

ok, I'm buying a BO rail for my new TRG22
(can't believe Sako ships TRG's with 0 moa bases??)
 
Re: What is so great about Badger Ordnance bases?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: snipe10</div><div class="ubbcode-body">ok, I'm buying a BO rail for my new TRG22
(can't believe Sako ships TRG's with 0 moa bases??) </div></div>Sako also sells them without rails by the way. My guess is they shipped it because it was requested.